The possibility of renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” has resurfaced after posts by U.S. President Trump. Trump said the administration was seriously considering the option for the lake located between New York and Canada’s Ontario province.
In one post on his social media account, Trump said he no longer believed the United States would do business with Ontario. In another post, he responded to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s claim that a draft trade agreement between the United States and Canada contained threats against the French language in Canada.
Trump said the United States would not interfere with Canadians speaking French, but accused Carney of making political moves targeting Quebec, a province where French is spoken by the majority.
Tariff tensions continue
Trump’s remarks came as trade talks between the United States and Canada remained inconclusive and mutual criticism between Trump and Ontario Premier Doug Ford continued.
Trump announced that tariffs on automobiles, trucks, auto parts and steel imported from Canada would be raised to 50 percent beginning next year.
Canadian Prime Minister Carney said Canada would respond to Washington’s new tariffs at the same rate to protect workers, farmers, families and businesses.
Ford sharply criticized the U.S. tariff decision during a television program. Trump described Ford’s remarks as “boasting.”
Trump previously moved to rename the Gulf of Mexico
The post about changing Lake Ontario’s name recalled Trump’s earlier executive order seeking to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.”